<p>Which school is more badass? I mean, which one has a better academic program? Especially in the sciences, such as Biology? Which one has a better overall environment for undergraduate students? Which one will give a better standing for graduate/med/professional schools? Which one is nicer?! I know they're both great, but I need some more opinions! Thanks!</p>
<p>In my opinion, Tufts is stronger in the humanities than it is in the sciences. Of course, it does have an awesome dental program, but when I think of Tufts, I usually think of its international relations program and to some degree, its philosophy department (Daniel Dennett is pretty awesome.) Both Tufts and Dartmouth have awesome science programs, but I don't think they're really standouts. Dartmouth's specialty tends to be, in my opinion, with economics. </p>
<p>I prefer Dartmouth to Tufts for undergrad. Dartmouth really is meant for undergrads (that's why it's called Dartmouth COLLEGE instead of Dartmouth UNIVERSITY). Tufts kids tend to be more studious, A-type personalities while Dartmouth students are a bit more relaxed. You'll find that Dartmouth has a bigger emphasis on frats than Tufts, for example. Both are equally good at preparing students for graduate school though. </p>
<p>Of course, I'm a bit biased. Not only am I attending Dartmouth, I was flat out rejected from Tufts. :P</p>
<p>Dartmouth's placement (WSJ, Harvard LAw, Wharton, Columbia Business, Yale Law, UVA Law, etc) is about 3 times Tufts for schools of similar size. It has far more elite recruiters coming to campus. Dartmouth's peers are Duke, Columbia, Penn, Amherst and the like. Tufts peers are more along the lines of Emory, UNC, Vassar, and Colgate. Dartmouth has arguably the best undergrad education in the country when you look at resources spent on students (COHE), endowment per student, and placement. Tufts has risen a lot in the last fw years, but its still not in the same league.</p>
<p>According to the NYT poll 89% of those faced with this choice choose Dartmouth.</p>
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Dartmouth's placement (WSJ, Harvard LAw, Wharton, Columbia Business, Yale Law, UVA Law, etc) is about 3 times Tufts for schools of similar size.
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<p>Somehow, I'm not surprised. :) Go Dartmouth.</p>
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3 times Tufts for schools of similar size.
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<p>What does that mean?</p>
<p>At most of the top grad schools you'll see about 3-4 times the number of Dartmouth students vs. Tufts students, despite the fact that Tufts is actually slightly bigger.</p>
<p>slipper, I agree Dartmouth is terrific, but how could it be arguably the best undergrad school in the country in terms of endowment per student and the like when Princeton and a few other schools have significantly larger endowments and spending per student?</p>
<p>OP, the two schools have very different campus cultures, and none of us could decide for you.</p>
<p>The keyword is undergrad - students at large research institutions do not get the same access to the faculty and resources that a large endowment provides. In most places, money focuses on grad students, and undergrads are an afterthought to professors and their research. Princeton is an exception, and for that reason Dartmouth and Princeton are often compared in this context.</p>